Cow-tail holder and hobble.



L. E. WOOLERY.

COW TAIL HOLDER AND HOBBLE.

APPLICATlON man OCT. 3. 19m.

1 1 89,330. Patented July 4, 1916.

M: NORRIS PETERS cc..PHom|.l1-o.. WASHINOYUN. uv c,

LAWRENCE E. WOOLERY, E GLENDALE, ARIZONA.

COW-TAIL HOLDER AND HOBBIJE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1916.

Application filed October 3, 1914. Serial No. 864,914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LAWRENCE E. WOOLERY,

- a citizen of the United States, residing at Glendale, in the county of Maricopa and State of Arizona, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cow-Tail Holders and Hobbles, of which the follow ing is a specification.

My invention relates to a cow tail holder and hobble.

The primary object of my invention resides in the provision of a novel means for detachable engagement with the legs of a cow or other animal, preferably for engagement with the legs of a cow, especially while milking, for preventing the cow from kicking over the milk pail, thus obviating a serious loss and saving the user time and money.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of an improved means associated with the fastening means of one of the leg engaging straps for removably receiving and clamping the tail of a cow.

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of a novel connecting element for removably receiving the leg engaging straps, the element allowing sliding movement of the straps when they are in [engagement with the legs of the animal, thus allowing the animal to maintain its equilibrium, even though prevented from movement of its legs to any great extent.

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of a device of the character described that is simple in construction, efficient in operation and one that can be manufactured and placed on the market at a minimum cost.

Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features and scope of my invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims forming a part of the drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevational view of my invention applied to the hind legs of a cow; Fig. 2 is a top plan View of my invention; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the buckles for securing the tail of the cow; and Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the buckle in an opened position, showing a portion of the strap.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which similar reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, I provide a )air of straps 1 and 2, formed preferably of leather, and which straps are slid'ably connected by means of a tubular connecting element 3, the latter being substantially ovalshaped in cross section. The strap 1 is provided adjacent one end thereof with a longitudinal slot, the latter being engageable about a tongue 4: pivotally mounted on one end of a buckle 5, which buckle is securely held on the end of the strap by bending the latter upon itself and fastening the extreme terminal thereof to the main portion by means of a suitable fastening device, preferably a rivet 6. By this arrangement the slot in the end of the straps prevents sliding movement of the tongue 4: on the end of the buckle. In order to facilitate the fastening of the strap 1 about one of the legs of the cow or other animal,'I provide the opposite end of the strap with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings 7 the latter being detach ably and adjustably engageable by the tongue 1. The strap 2 is also provided adjacent one end thereof with a longitudinal slot 8, the latter being engageable about the pivotally mounted tongue 9 of the buckle 10, the buckle being securely held on the strap 2 by bending the strap upon itself and securing the terminal thereof with the main portion by means of a suitable fastening device preferably a rivet 11. The slot on the strap 2 acts in the same capacity as the strap 1 for limiting the movement of the tongue 9 on the buckle. The opposite end of the strap 2 is provided with a plurality of uniformly spacedopenings for facilitating the adjustable securing of the strap about the legs of a cow. The buckle 10 in this instance is substantially rectangular in form and has the longitudinal bars thereof provided with longitudinal grooves 12 on the upper surfaces thereof and the tongue 9 has the under surface thereof provided with a longitudinal groove 13, the grooves 12 and 13 cooperating with the side bars and tongue for forming efficient clamping surfaces for receiving the tail of a cow.

The application of my invention is as follows: When the user desires to milk the cow, the strap 1 is arranged about one of the legs of the cow and fastened thereon by means of the buckle 5. The strap 2 is now engaged about the other leg of the cow and preparatory to the fastening of the same about the leg, the end of the cows tail is placed through the buckle in a manner so as to be engaged by the side bars and tongue 9, the grooves 12 and 13 facilitating the holding ofthe tail therein. The strain of the legs of the cow permits a strong pull on the buckle and prevents the tail of the cow from becoming accidentally disengaged therefrom.

Although I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention I de sire to be understood that I am not limited to the exact details shown, however, great stress is laid upon the arrangement of the connecting element which permits of slight sliding movement when the straps are in engagement about the legs of a cow thus allowing the cow or other animal to retain its equilibrium. This is an important feature of applicants invention as it has been known from actual practice that the employment of a rivet or' other fastening device has little efficiency because of the strength in the legs of the animal, which breaks the fastening between the straps. By the employment of straps it will be understood that the burning or otherwise scarring of the legs of the animal, as is now caused by the use of ropes, has been obviated. I

From the above description taken in 0on nection with the accompanying drawings, it can easily be seen that I have provided a device that is simple in construction, containing but a few simple parts that can be cheaply manufactured and assembled and when assembled can be placed upon the market and sold at a minimum cost.

It will be understood that the above de scription and accompanying drawings comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of my invention and that various minor changes in detail of construction, proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made within the scope of the appended vided' with means therein for clamping the tail; of a cow.

2a A device of the character described including a pair of straps, means for slidably connecting the straps, buckles upon one of the ends of each of said straps for facilitating the fasteningof the straps, one of said buckles provided with longitudinalgrooves, said grooves constituting clamping surfaces for receivingthe tail of a: cow.

3; A deviceof the character described including a pair of straps, an oval-shaped connecting eleinent'for slidably receiving. the straps, rectangular buckles upon one of the ends of each of the straps, the ends of the straps adjacent the buckles being provided with slots, tongues positioned in said slots and pivotal ly associated with the buckles, said tongues being engageab'le with the free ends of the straps and cotiperating with the buckles for facilitating the securing of the straps, the upper surfaces of the buckles and under surfaces of the tongues being pro vided with. longitudinal grooves throughout their length for facilitating the clamping'of the tail of a cow.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses;

LAWRENCE E. WOOLERY.

'Witnesses:

JOHN B; INGRAM, G. H. KnrcrrAM;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for. five cents each, by addressing. the "Commissioner; 0! intents. Washington, I). C." 

